My First Specialized Shoulder Rehabilitation Session — A Step Forward in Recovery and Learning the Courage to Rest — Thursday, August 6, 2026 (Reiwa8)

Yesterday, I visited Dogo Onsen Hospital for the first time and was examined by Dr. Adachi, a specialist in shoulder injuries.

The X-rays showed that my fractured bone is healing well, which was reassuring.

At the same time, he explained that some stiffness (joint contracture) has already begun to develop and that it is now the right time to start proper rehabilitation.

It reminded me that bone healing and restoring normal shoulder movement are two different challenges.

After the examination, I had my first session with a physical therapist.

He carefully measured how far my shoulder could move in different directions and identified which movements were most restricted. Based on those findings, he taught me the exercises that are most important for my recovery.

Until now, I had been doing rehabilitation exercises on my own every day.

I followed the exercise sheet prepared by the physical therapist at my retirement community and continued doing what I believed would help.

Yesterday, however, was different.

For the first time, a rehabilitation specialist explained which movements were especially important for my shoulder and which exercises I did not need to do at this stage.

That helped me understand that my shoulder was stiffer than I had realized.

In particular, I found that I could not lift my arm out to the side as much as I had thought.

Reaching straight overhead was also still limited.

I became aware that my shoulder still has significant stiffness.

Today, the day after that rehabilitation session, I tried the exercises I had been taught in the morning.

Afterward, my entire shoulder became heavy.

It was not exactly sharp pain—it was more of a deep, heavy ache that made me feel physically and emotionally exhausted.

I wanted to continue the exercises because I had finally learned the correct way to do them.

Yet my body simply did not feel ready.

I spent most of the day lying down, and I did not even feel like reading the newspaper.

As I rested, I began to organize my thoughts.

Yesterday was the first time my shoulder had received such a thorough evaluation and specialized rehabilitation.

Perhaps my body was reacting because muscles and joints that had hardly moved before were finally being asked to move again.

Of course, I cannot know the exact reason.

That is why I plan to tell my physical therapist honestly about today's condition at my next appointment.

Today also brought one encouraging discovery.

The therapist suggested placing a pillow or folded towel under my left shoulder for support.

When I tried it today, sitting became much more comfortable, and I was able to study without as much discomfort.

Even a small adjustment like that can make everyday life much easier.

Right now, it is still difficult to imagine myself swimming the butterfly stroke again.

But I have not given up on that dream.

First, I will continue helping my bone become stronger, work patiently to improve the stiffness in my shoulder, and move forward one step at a time.

Today was not a day of laziness.

It was a day to listen to my body, allow it to recover, and remind myself that resting is also an important part of rehabilitation.


#ChallengeTowardTheFuture  
#ShoulderRehabilitation  
#ProximalHumerusFracture  
#PostoperativeRehabilitation  
#PhysicalTherapy  
#PreventingJointContracture  
#DogoOnsenHospital  
#OneStepCloserToRecovery